Why do so many reformed believers use the ESV?

[TomVols]

The only thing is --it doesn't use modern English.

Yes it does, just not 100% of the time.

Leave the AV out of it though. Hardly anyone uses it these days.

I can take you to a church just down the road from me that has around a thousand in attendance every Sunday and they require KJV and will check it at the door. A church of 300 does the same thing about 20 mins from me. 35 churches in my home association, and 2/3rds are ardently KJVO. So I wouldn't say no one uses it any more. Check the CBA version sales sheet. The KJV is at or near the top still. Latest one has KJV at #3 unit wise and #2 dollar sales. (Interestingly, NIV is still #1 in both. I wonder are people doing this because of the upcoming revision or is it just a testament to the continued NIV dominance?)

I would like to ask a core question related to the OP. Can a minister of the Gospel be considered actually Reformed if he uses the TNIV as his primary English text?

Another discussion board,which shall go unnamed, would give an emphatic "No!"to that question.

D.A.Carson preaches, but is not a pastor. His Calvinistic credentials are unquestioned yet he preaches from the TNIV.

Yes, you can. And yes, some on that board would say "yes" as well. And count me another one who has used the TNIV from the pulpit whenever I preach at a couple of churches I know is appropriate.

 

[gb93433]

Yes it does, just not 100% of the time. I can take you to a church just down the road from me that has around a thousand in attendance every Sunday and they require KJV and will check it at the door. A church of 300 does the same thing about 20 mins from me. 35 churches in my home association, and 2/3rds are ardently KJVO. So I wouldn't say no one uses it any more.

You have got to realize that you do not live far from the snake charmers too. They do not use the KJV they abuse it through their lies and false propaganda.

In a city where I once lived was a KJVO church that many knew about that had not grown any more than the number of babies produced but they have been good at producing KJVO materials for the rest of America. They do not win people to Jesus and provide fodder as an example for the world to see while they preach against various translations. I found out more about them from the non-Christians I have witnessed to.

 

[BobinKy]

I can take you to a church just down the road from me that has around a thousand in attendance every Sunday and they require KJV and will check it at the door.

So what happens if you walk in with a Bible that is not KJV?


...Bob :0)
Kentucky

 

[TomVols]

So what happens if you walk in with a Bible that is not KJV?


...Bob :0)
Kentucky

You are told...not asked....to leave.

 

[BobinKy]

You are told...not asked....to leave.

Now that's militant!

...Bob :0)
Kentucky

 

[gb93433]

You are told...not asked....to leave.

So are they of the KKK too?

 

[gb93433]

Now that's militant!

That's not militant that's stupid. It is a good thing they are all in the same building because we would not want them to spread to other churches.

 

[TomVols]

That's not militant that's stupid. It is a good thing they are all in the same building because we would not want them to spread to other churches.

Too late. I can name many like that.

 

[Rippon]

Yes it does, just not 100% of the time.

The ESV features decidedly old-fashioned phraselogy much more of the time than the ESV hype machine would have folks believe. Within the canon of the ESV you'll find very little contemporary language overall.

I wouldn't say no one uses it any more.

My mistake. I thought reference was made to the ASV of 1901. I got the letters confused with the AV (i.e.KJV).

Yes, you can. And yes, some on that board would say "yes" as well.

Well that is very surprising.I'm not being sarcastic. For one to say they prefer the NIV is to invite some rather nasty retorts. But the TNIV?! I thought they may suggest that the preacher who uses that is apostate or something.

And count me another one who has used the TNIV from the pulpit whenever I preach at a couple of churches I know is appropriate.

That's another surprising thing. I learn something new every now and then. Congrats to you Tom.

 

[Rippon]

You are told...not asked....to leave.

So they will not allow any unbelievers to attend any services? Someone who wants to learn about the Lord -- sincerely desiring to attend a house of worship, carrying a non-KJ version, and then abruptly told to leave?!

That's radically wrong.

 

[TomVols]

The ESV features decidedly old-fashioned phraselogy much more of the time than the ESV hype machine would have folks believe. Within the canon of the ESV you'll find very little contemporary language overall.

If an ESV hype machine exists (which I doubt) it's not doing very well. I don't know about old-fashioned phraseology (again, it's too beholden to the RSV, so maybe there's some truth to it) but the language can be awkward in spots. That said, there is contemporary language to be found and it would comprise far more than just "very little."

My mistake. I thought reference was made to the ASV of 1901. I got the letters confused with the AV (i.e.KJV).

I don't know of anyone who uses the '01 ASV, so I see your point.

Well that is very surprising.I'm not being sarcastic. For one to say they prefer the NIV is to invite some rather nasty retorts. But the TNIV?! I thought they may suggest that the preacher who uses that is apostate or something.

There are always exceptions. We cannot make the mistake of the old farmer who, due to the nightly roar of croaking, thought his pond was full of frogs, but only found one when he actually went down to the pond. One frog can be awfully loud

That's another surprising thing. I learn something new every now and then. Congrats to you Tom.

:laugh: So I'm to be congratulated for using the TNIV? Now I'm legit? :smilewinkgrin: I've shared this with you before. I'm shocked you forgot :tongue3: Would you congratulate me for using the ESV, NLT, Phillips, etc?

So they will not allow any unbelievers to attend any services? Someone who wants to learn about the Lord -- sincerely desiring to attend a house of worship, carrying a non-KJ version, and then abruptly told to leave?!

That's radically wrong.

An unbeliever with no Bible is welcomed. After all, you get the chance to introduce them to the only Bible containing a salvific gospel. A person with another Bible translation? That would be tantamount to someone wanting to enter church with a beer, a porn magazine, etc. They cannot be allowed to enter with something that would defane. Leave it in the trash, and you're welcome.

"Radically wrong" is very mild compared to my view, by the way.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I don't know of anyone who uses the '01 ASV

So now I'm a nobody? That was the translation of choice in our church and seminary in the 60's

Hate to shut down any decent thread that has had lots of good discussion, but noticed it was past the 10-page limit. I must be impartial (other threads I WAIT with bated breath to hit limit and happily close them; so must do it to those I'd like to keep open!)